The North Dakota State University chapter of Blue Key National Honor Society honored Canan Bilen-Green, Dale Hogoboom professor of industrial and manufacturing engi­neering, with the 2012 NDSU Distinguished Educator Award. She received the recognition dur­ing a ceremony in December.

Blue Key annually honors an outstanding NDSU educator for their extra interest in students and their programs, education and field of expertise. Presented annu­ally since 1969, the honor is one of the highest awards given by NDSU students.

"I am fortunate to be a college professor working with young people and many colleagues," Bilen-Green said. "When you receive an award from a group of students known for their commitment to community service, it is a very humbling experience."

Bilen-Green is interim chair of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, executive director of NDSU Advance FORWARD and vice provost of faculty advancement. She joined NDSU in 1998 after earning a doctorate in statistics from the University of Wyoming. Bilen-Green earned a bachelor's degree from Middle East Technical University and master's degrees from Bilkent University and the University of Wyoming.

One nomination letter said, "She wants to teach us not just the answers but how to find the answers and be successful problem solvers. She pushes her students to have class discussion and explore new ideas. … She wants to make sure I get the most out of my college education in every way possible."

Since 2001, Bilen-Green has served as faculty adviser for the NDSU chapter of the Society of Women Engineers. In partnership with the YWCA, she initiated TechGYRLS at NDSU, a semester-long, after-school program for girls, grades four through seven. As a coordinator for Expanding Your Horizons, Bilen-Green also has worked with College of Engineering and Architecture faculty, stu­dents and alumni to develop and present workshops for students in grades seven through nine.

"We thank you for your dedication to helping students improve their educational experiences and for making NDSU a place of well-rounded education," said Kelly Artz, president of the NDSU Blue Key chapter.